What are the three things you should never do to a Mogwai?
If you’ve seen the 1984 film, you’ll know that they are;
1. Expose them to bright light (kills them)
2. Get them wet (they multiply)
3. Feed them after midnight (they turn into Gremlins – not good!)
So food timing is very important with Gremlins.
Not so much with humans though.
All the large, peer reviewed studies show that is it is the overall amount consumed through the day (or week or month) that is key.
Distribution of that consumption makes little to no difference.
2,000 calories consumed across 6 small meals will have the same affect as 2,000 calories across two meals.
An extra 500 calories before 6pm will be the same as 500 calories at midnight.
All else being equal.
And that’s the important bit.
A bottle of wine and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s while you’re watching the tele of an evening will have the same affect as if you had it as a mid morning snack.
But that’s somewhat less likely to happen.
If saying we’re not going to eat after 8pm means we then consume less than we would’ve done otherwise, then that’s a perfectly valid approach to take.
A nice, clear cut rule for us to work with.
Nothing magical about what happens when we eat after 8pm.
It’s just a way we can create maintenance or deficit.
If we have to eat late and night because that’s the only option………..
And we chose to perceive that as some sort of ‘failure’ and use it as justification to ‘write off’ that day and go nuts…………
And then create a surplus………..
That wasn’t because we ate late at night.
We just ate too much.
Ultimately, do what works for you (check myrise.co.uk/briefing-meeting if you like the sound of an approach designed to work with you, not against you).
You know your life, your commitments, your challenges, your timings and so on.
Eat in a way that works for you AND takes you in a direction you’re happy with.
Just know that meal timing is important for Gremlins.
Not so much for humans.
Much love,
Jon ‘Gizmo’ Hall and Matt ‘Stripe’ Nicholson
